Magdalene c. 19th century

Editor: This is Antonio Ricciani's "Magdalene." It’s quite striking. She looks serene, almost stoic. What can you tell me about its cultural context? Curator: Ricciani, active in the early 19th century, created this print in a time of intense religious and political upheaval. The image of Magdalene, often associated with repentance, held particular significance in post-revolutionary societies seeking moral guidance. The church and its role in social order had been challenged. Editor: So, the print served a purpose beyond aesthetics? Curator: Absolutely. Images like these helped re-establish traditional values, subtly influencing public perception and reinforcing societal norms through widely accessible visual media. What do you make of her gaze? Editor: It’s direct, engaging, but not confrontational. I understand that prints at the time were used to influence a large audience, so its accessibility made it influential to public perceptions of virtue. Curator: Precisely. We can think about how this print reinforced the church’s and the upper class’s influence in society.